Medical Examiner

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates and determines the cause, circumstances and manner of sudden, unexpected, violent or suspicious deaths that occur in Multnomah County.

Deaths that we are required to investigate include, but are not limited to, those that involve:

Suspicious or unknown circumstances

Homicide or suicide

Accidents or injuries

Unlawful use of controlled substances, or the use of a chemical or toxic substance

Persons who die unexpectedly in good health, while not under the care of a physician immediately before death (such as at home)

Those that happen while incarcerated in jail or prison, or in police custody

Contagious diseases that may pose a public health threat

On-the-job activities

During an investigation, a deputy medical examiner may respond to the scene, interview witnesses, take photographs, obtain evidence and property and assist with the notification of next-of-kin.

What to Do After Somebody Dies

Report the Death

Contact law enforcement at Multnomah County’s non-emergency number, 503-823-3333. An officer will come out and make a report to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Make Final Arrangements

Select a funeral home or cremation service. Let them know the Medical Examiner’s Office is involved. Funeral directors are familiar with us and can help you make all the arrangements for final disposition of the deceased, including getting the death certificate. They can also pick up the decedent’s personal property that is not being held as evidence.

We are unable to recommend a funeral service.

Autopsies

An autopsy will be performed:

When there's a need to establish or confirm a cause and manner of death in order to issue a death certificate

In cases involving criminal or suspected criminal wrongdoing

In any case in which an autopsy is considered to be prudent, at the state medical examiner’s discretion

Do I have to consent to an examination or autopsy? Your desires will always be considered, however, the state medical examiner makes the final decision regarding which examination procedures are necessary.

Can I view the body? The Medical Examiner’s Office is not designed to accommodate viewing. Arrangements can be made at the funeral home for viewing.

Can the deceased be an anatomical donor? In most cases, yes. The medical examiner will authorize anatomical gifts whenever possible, although certain cases preclude donations. For information regarding all anatomical donations, please call the Lions VisionGift at 503-808-7070 or 800-843-7793.

Get a Death Certificate

After a cause of death has been determined a death certificate is registered with state vital records. Certified copies may be ordered through the funeral service or Multnomah County Vital Records.

Note: It may take 8-10 weeks or longer to get a death certificate if the exact cause and manner of death cannot be immediately determined. Special laboratory tests or further investigation may be necessary.

Cost

There is no fee for the investigation. Occasionally transportation is needed to get the body to the Medical Examiner’s Office. This cost is passed on to the designated funeral home/cremation service.